Lever lock construction for split clamping ring



July 19, 1966 E. E. SCHAEFER LEVER LOCK CONSTRUCTION FOR SPLIT CLAMPING RING Filed Dec. 9. 1965 ill 36 62 283345 53 52 V INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,261,632 LEVER LOCK CONSTRUCTION FOR SPLIT CLAMPING RING Edward E. Schaefer, P.0. Box 8196, Reno, Nev. Filed Dec. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 328,808 9 Claims. (Cl. 292-25669) This invention relates to a lever lock construction, and more particularly relates to a lock construction for holding the actuating lever of an expansible and contractable clamping ring in clamping position.

Because of the low cost, *light weight, compact size, and general versatility advantages of cylindrical fiber board-type containers or barrels, such as are used to ship or store powdered chemicals, detergents and the like, an ever increasing use of this type of container is being made. Such containers usually include a separable cover and split clamping ring or band for holding the cover ongaged with the open end of the container. The aforementioned split clamping ring usually includes a swingable actuating lever mounted on one end of the split ring and operable to effect expansion and contraction of the ring to facilitate engagement with or disengagement from the cover and container. A link connects the lever with an opposite end of the split clamping ring and serves to translate the pivotal movement of the lever into expansion and contraction of the clamping ring.

As a safety precaution against accidental movement of the actuating lever to a position expanding or releasing the clamping ning and possible opening of the container during shipment or handling, some form of safety latch is usually provided for maintaining the lever in a ring contracting or clamping position. Such saifety latch, which is usually associated with the free end of the actuating lever, is normally used only during shipment or storage of the container.

Because of the arrangement of the various pivots in some clamping rings, unless the aforementioned safety latch is engaged with the free end of the actuating lever, the latter tends to diverge or extend away from the ring in a tangential direction due to the inherent resiliency of the ring. Such projecting \free end of the lever not only constitutes a serious safety hazard but also increases the possibility of spilling of the contents of the container if the lever accidentally becomes entangled in the clothing of a passerby.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved lock construction for maintaining the actuating lever of an expansible and contractable clamping ring of the character described in a ring clamping position.

Another object is to provide a novel lock construction for maintaining the swingable actuating lever of an expansible and contractable clamping ring of the character described in a position which minimizes the possibility of injury to passersby and accidental spilling of the contents of the container.

A further object is to provide a novel lock construction for a split clamping ring of the foregoing character which eliminates the need for moving an associated safety latch into engagement with the free end of the lever in order to maintain the latter in a position closely adjacent the ring.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel lock construction for the actuating lever of an expansible and contractable clamping ring of the above described type which assists movement of the lever toward a ring clamping position.

Other objects and advantages ocf the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying sheet of drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper or open end of a barrel-type container, such open end being closed by a cover held in position by a split clamping ring, the latter including a swingalble actuating lever and a lock construction embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary side elevational view, with some parts broken away to show underlying parts, of the actuating lever portion of the clamping ring illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, similar to FIG. 3, but showing the actuating lever in a different position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line '66 of FIG. 3.

In FIGS. 1 and 6, the upper or open end, indicated at 10, of a container C is illustrated. The container C, in the present instance, is of the cylindrical, barrel-type such as is used to ship or store :farinaceous materials as for example, powdered chemicals, detergents, and the like. The container C may be of any suitable material but is conventionally of fiberboard, the upper end 10 of the container having a reinforcing metal ban-d 11 secured thereto.

A cover 12 having a circumferential axially extending flange 13 adapted to enclose a portion of the reinforcing hand 11 when engaged with the container is provided for closing and sealing the open end 10 of the container.

For holding the cover 12 engaged with the open upper end 10 of the container C, during shipment or storage, an expansible and contractable clamping ring 14 is provided. The clamping ring 14 is conventional to the extent that it comprises an annular split metal band, having spaced ends 17 and 18. The ring 14 is channelshaped in cross section having upper and lower radially extending flange portions 22 and 23, respectively, and a connecting axially extending web portion 24 '(FIG. 6).

Expansion and contraction of the ring 14 to permit engagement with and disengagement from the cover 12 and the upper end 10 of the container C is effected by a lever 31. The lever 31, in the present instance, is also channel-shaped in cross section having upper and lower radially extending flange portions 32 and 33, respectively, and a connecting web portion 34.

One end 36 of the lever 31 is pivotally connected to a bracket 37 (FIGS. 26), the latter being secured to the end 17 of the ring 14 as by rivets 38. The bracket 37 is preferably formed from sheet metal strap stock folded upon itself to define a loop 42 at one end thereof and a pair of superposed inner and outer plate-like sections 43 and 44, respectively. The loop 42 is disposed generally radially outwardly of the ring end 17 and loosely receives pin means in the form of a rivet 46 which extends through the loop 42 and the right end 36 of the lever 31 for pivotally connecting the latter With the bracket 37 to permit swinging movement of the lever.

A link in the form of an elongated U-shaped bail or shackle 47 is provided for interconnecting the lever 31 with the other end 18 of the ring 14 and for translating pivotal movement of the lever into expansion and contraction of the ring 14. The bail 47, in the present instance, is preferably of a heavy wire bent into the shape of an elongated U having elongated arms 48 and a connecting portion 49. The connecting portion 49 of the bail 47 is pivotally secured to the other end 18 of the ring 14 by means of another bracket 52. The bracket 52 is also preferably formed from a length of sheet metal strap stock folded upon itself to define a loop 53 at one end thereof in which the connecting portion 49 of the bail is pivotally received. The arms 48 of the bail 47 thus extend longitudinally of the ring 14 toward the lever 31. The bracket 52 may be secured to the end 18 of the ring 14 by rivets 38.

In order to provide for a pivotal connection between the opposite or left end of the bail 47, as viewed in FIGS. 2-4, and the lever 31, the outer or left ends, indicated at 54, of the arms 48 are inturned and disposed in transversely aligned openings 55 in thefiange portions 32 and 33 of the lever 31. The arms 48 of the bail 47 are bent, as at 56 (FIG. 4), so that the arms conform more closely to the contour of the ring and lie closely adjacent thereto.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the loop 42 of the bracket 37 is offset radially outwardly from the plate sections 43 and 44 and from the pivot axes of the connecting portion 49 and inturned ends 54 of the bail 47 when the lever 31 is in its ring-contracting or clamping position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Such arrangement of the pivots of the lever 31 and bail 47 comprises a toggle linkage wherein the longitudinal center of the bail 47 moves over the pivot axis (the rivet 46) of the lever 31 as the latter reaches its ring clamping position illustrated in FIG. 3. Thus, when the lever 31 is being swung in a clockwise direction from a position causing or permitting expansion of the ring 14 toward its FIG. 3 position, the lever will pass through a position which occurs somewhat before that shown in FIG. 4 wherein the pivots 46, 49, and

54 are in alignment or on center. At this point, substantially little or no elfort is required to effect move- 3 requires little effort on the part of the operator, due

to the toggle linkage arrangement of the bail 4'7 and pivot 46. Thus, the tension in the ring 14 acting through the link 47 serves to assist movement of the lever 31 from its on center position to its ring clamping position illustrated in FIG. 3.

While the aforementioned toggle linkage arrangement between the bail 47 and lever 31 provides a force tendingto hold the lever 31 in its ring clamping position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, even when an associated safety latch structure 65 (FIGS. 13) is inoperative, it is desirable to provide additional means for holding the lever 31 in such ring clamping position. Consequently, and according to the present invention, the lever 31 and ring 14 include detent means for this purpose. Such detent means, in the present instance, comprises a detent in the form of a rib (FIGS. 2-6), formed in the lower flange 33 of the lever 31 and projecting upwardly or inwardly thereof. The rib 62 is arranged on the lever 31 to cooperate with a pocket 57 (FIG. 6) defined in the bracket 37.

The pocket 57 is preferably formed by stamping or otherwise displacing a portion 58 of the material of the outer plate section 44 of the bracket away from the inner plate section 43. Since the rib 62 is provided in the lower flange 33 of the lever 31, the pocket forming portion 58 of the. plate section 44 may taper inwardly toward the inner section 43 from the lower side of the bracket toward the upper side thereof, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 6. The arrangement and position of the detent 62 and pocket 57 is such that the former nests in the latter when the lever 31 is in its ring clamping position illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, and 6.

Thus, the bracket 37 not only provides a pivot point for the lever 31 by the provision of the loop 42, but also provides the pocket 57 for receiving the detent or rib 62. Such integrated construction is simple, efiicient and economical.

In order to reduce the effort required to move the lever 31 into its aforementioned ring clamping position shown in FIG. 3, the rib 62 is positioned on the lever 31 so that when the rib contacts the edge, indicated at 64, of the 4 pocket forming portion 58, the pivots 46, 49 and 54 of the toggle linkage are in substantial alignment (FIG. 4). Thus, the toggle linkage structure assists movement of the rib 62 into its pocket 57. Consequently, little additional effort is required to complete the movement of the lever 31 from its position illustrated in FIG. 4 to its position illustrated in FIG. 3.

To further reduce such resistance, the upper surface, indicated at 63, of the rib 62 is inclined downwardly or toward the pivot end 36 of the lever 31, in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5. Such inclination reduces the area of contact between the rib 62 and the lower edge, indicated at 64, of the pocket forming portion 58 during movement of the rib 62 into the pocket 57. The inclined upper surface 63 of the rib 62 thus acts as a cam to assist movement of the rib into its pocket. A slight lateral displacement of the lever 31 occurs during movement of the rib into its pocket, as illustrated in FIG. 5, such displacement being accommodated by the loose fit of the rivet 46 in the loop 42. The detent means 62, 57 thus coacts with the toggle linkage connection between the link 47 and lever 31 to maintain the latter in a ring clamping position illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, inclusive, and FIG. 6.

As previously mentioned, in order to preclude any possibility of accidental movement of the lever 31 to a ring expanding position during shipment orstorage of the container C, the safety latch 65 is provided. Such safety latch comprises an arm 66 pivotally secured at one end, as by a rivet 67, to the ring 14 to permit movement of the arm 66 into latching engagement with the free end, indicated at 68 of the lever 31. The latch arm 66 may be provided with a flange 69 having an opening 71 therein for receiving a length of safety wire- 72 (FIG. 1) therethrough, the wire 72 extending through another opening 73 (FIG. 3) formed in a depending flange 74 on the lever 31. The safety latch 65 is usually employed only when the container C is being shipped or is to be stored.

While only one embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that variations and modifications thereof may be effected without departing from the scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a split clamping ring adapted to secure a separable cover to the open end of a barrel-type container, said clamping ring including a swingable lever operable to effect expansion and contraction of said ring on movement of the lever, the improvement comprising a lock construction for holding said lever in a ring clamping position including a detent carried by said lever and means carried by said ring for pivotally mounting saidlever and having a pocket therein for receiving and retaining said detent upon movement of said lever into said clamping position, said detent and said pocket being disposed closely adjacent the pivot axis of said lever, whereby the effort required to move said lever into and out of said clamping position is reduced.

2. In a split clamping ring adapted to secure a separable cover to the open end of a barrel-type container, said clamping ring including a swingable lever operable to effect expansion and contraction of said ring on movement of the lever, the improvement comprising a lock construction for holding said lever in a ring clamping position including a detent carried by saidllever, and a bracket secured to said ring, said bracket comprising an elongated strap extending circumferentially of said ring and folded upon itself to provide a pair of inner and outer superposed plate sections, said outer plate section having a portion thereof spaced from said inner plate section to define a pocket therebetween for receiving and retaining said detent upon movement of said lever into said clamping position.

3. In a split clamping ring adapted to secure a separable cover to the open end of a barrel-type container, said clamping ring including a swingable lever operable to effect expansion and contraction of said ring on movement of the lever, the improvement comprising a lock construction for holding said lever in a ring clamping position including a detent carried by said lever, and a bracket secured to said ring and having a pocket therein for receiving and retaining said detent, said detent comprising a longitudinally extending rib on said lever, the upper surface of said rib being inclined so as to reduce the area of contact between said rib and the edge of said pocket, whereby the effort required to move said lever into and out of said clamping position is reduced.

4. The lock construction of claim 2 further characterized in that a portion of one of the longitudinal side edges of said outer plate section is bent away from the inner plate section to provide said pocket.

5. In combination, a split clamping ring adapted to secure a separable cover to the open end of a barrel-type container, a bracket secured to one end of said clamping ring, a swingable lever pivotally connected at one end to said bracket, said lever being operable to effect expansion and contraction of said ring on movement of said lever, and a lock construction for holding said lever in a ring clamping position, comprising a detent carried by said lever and means defining a pocket in said bracket for receiving and retaining said detent, said detent and said pocket being disposed closely adjacent the pivot axis of said lever, whereby the effort required to move said lever into and out of said clamping position is reduced.

6. The combination of claim 5 further characterized in that said bracket comprises an elongated strap folded upon itself to define a loop at one end thereof and a pair of inner and outer superposed plate sections, said loop having pin means therein pivotally connecting said lever to said bracket, and said outer plate section having a portion thereof spaced from said inner section and providing said pocket therebetween.

7. In combination, a split clamping ring adapted to secure a separable cover to the open end of a barrel-type container, said clamping ring including a swingable lever operable to expand and contract said ring to permit engagement and disengagement thereof with said cover and container, toggle linkage means connecting said lever with said ring, and a lock construction for holding said lever in a ring clamping position, including means carried by said ring and defining a pocket, said lock construction also including a detent carried by said lever and positioned remote from the free end thereof, said detent coacting with said pocket to hold said lever in said clamping position, said toggle linkage means coacting with said lock construction to reduce the effort required to move said lever to said clamping position and said detent into said pocket to hold said lever in said clamping position.

8. The combination of claim 7 further characterized in that said toggle linkage means comprises a strap-like 'bracket carried at one end of said split ring and folded upon itself to define a loop at one end of said bracket, pin means disposed in said loop and pivotally connecting one end of said lever with said bracket, the material of said bracket defining said loop being radially outwardly offset so that the pivot axis of said lever is disposed radially outwardly of said ring, and a link interconnecting the other end of said ring with said lever, one end of said link being pivotally connected to said other end of said ring for movement about an axis disposed radially inwardly of the pivot axis of said lever, whereby said link moves radially inwardly of the pivot axis of said lever as the latter reaches said clamping position.

9. The combination of claim 8 further characterized in that said link is bent to accommodate the structure of said one end of said ring when said lever is in said clamping position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,503,462 8/1924 Albert 292247 2,005,341 6/1935 lesser 292256.69 2,028,223 l/ 1936 Lambert.

2,071,535 2/1937 Jesser 292256.69 2,213,163 8/1940 Gustafson 292256.69 2,265,167 12/1941 Hothersall 292256.69 2,304,911 12/1942 Harpold 292256.69 X 2,579,974 12/1951 Scott et a1 292256.69 X 2,864,638 12/1958 Nelson et al 292256.69

PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Primary Examiner.

R. E. MOORE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A SPLIT CLAMPING RING ADAPTED TO SECURE A SEPARABLE COVER TO THE OPEN END OF A BARREL-TYPE CONTAINER, SAID CLAMPING RING INCLUDING A SWINGABLE LEVER OPERABLE TO EFFECT EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION OF SAID RING ON MOVEMENT OF THE LEVER, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A LOCK CONSTRUCTION FOR HOLDING SAID LEVER IN A RING CLAMPING POSITION INCLUDING A DETENT CARRIED BY SAID LEVER AND MEANS CARRIED BY SAID RING FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID LEVER AND HAVING A POCKET THEREIN FOR RECEIVING AND RETAINING SAID DETENT UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID LEVER INTO SAID CLAMPING POSITION, SAID DETENT AND SAID POCKET BEING DISPOSED CLOSELY ADJACENT THE PIVOT AXIS OF SAID LEVER, WHEREBY THE EFFORT REQUIRED TO MOVE SAID LEVER INTO AND OUT OF SAID CLAMPING POSITION IS REDUCED. 